My Lilly Masterpiece!

Living at home for only four months of the year has led my room to become more of a storage unit for things I have to move in and out of my dorm every semester, compared to my own personal escape from reality growing up. 

Even though I've been home for almost two months now, I still have so many Sterelite storage bins cluttering my personal space and blocking paths to my dresser and closet. These bins are filled with a lot of decor that was originally in my room that I took to my dorm at school, and now am too lazy to rehang in knowing that in less than two months, I'll have to take it down again.

While I don't feel the need to go out and spend money on buying new decor, I still wanted to spruce up my room a little bit so that it felt more "homey".

I decided to channel my inner sorority-girl and take a ride over to Joann's for some crafting supplies. Canvas, acrylic paint, Martha Stewart stencils.. and voila! 

I'm obsessed with this Lilly print. It's the background of my Twitter page, desktop, iPhone... and soon will be a pop of color on my bedroom wall! I'm really happy with how it turned out. I debated putting my monogram on it, but to be honest, I don't want to ruin it!

I took a few art classes as a kid, but I'm no van Gogh. Regardless, I found painting so relaxing! I definitely plan on doing a few more pieces with either: quotes, chevron print, or a fleur de lis. They're super easy and I feel like it means more to know that I made it myself! 

Creating pieces like this would also be a great alternative to the oh-so-classic Marilyn Monroe posters in a dorm room.

Has the summertime given you time to get crafty?

OOTN: Friend's Birthday Dinner

TOP // J. Crew Outlet

SKIRT // Tobi (also on nastygal.com)

SHOES // Target

BRACELETS // Alex and Ani

WATCH // Michael Kors

RING // Tiffany's

NECKLACE // Penny Weights

EARRINGS // Rock Candy

NAIL POLISH // Essie's Lights

Happy Birthday to one of my beautiful best friend's, Jennifer! The girls and I celebrated by going to a restaurant in town for drinks and sushi. I had a blast. I can't remember the last time I laughed as hard as I did. It's funny how the little things are what really matter most. We decided not to use birthday's as an excuse to get together and going here will be our new weekly tradition! 

xo, cheri

It's FINALLY Here!

Instagram: cherihamilton

A high of 90°F and bright blue skies, it's OFFICIALLY SUMMER.  I could not have spent my afternoon any better way than with my bestie soaking up the rays by the pool! 

Hope it's sunny where you are and that you're enjoying your first summer day!

xo, cheri

Orange REALLY is the New Pink

I just wanted to make a quick post about how I've literally been OBSESSED with orange lately. I feel like it scares a lot of people away, but if done right (and in the right hue), orange can accentuate your summer glow and compliment other popular summer colors like gold, white, cobalt blue, and turquoise

I saw this picture on Tobi and ever since I've been on the hunt for the perfect orange top and white jeans to pair with it. No luck yet, BUT I have explored this bright tangerine color on my nails and lips!

 Essie's Meet Me at Sunset via my Instagram (Follow me! -cherihamilton). I LOVE this shade. You only need two coats of this for an opaque finish and I felt like it didn't chip as fast as it usually does.

Make Up For Ever's Rouge Artist Intense #40. I tried to find a shade similar to this at the drugstore, but was never satisfied. I was testing out SO MANY orange shades at Sephora and once I found this lipstick, I knew it'd be well worth the "splurge."  This is my first MUFE lipstick and I have no complaints. It's full coverage, long lasting, and didn't have a chalky finish. This is a great alternative in the summer to a red lip. I paired it with a light gloss, but I think it'd be fine on its own as well! 

Will you be caught sporting orange this summer?

xo, cheri

Tanning Essentials

So, I know a MILLION other "What to Bring in Your Beach Bag" posts have been made, and to me, a lot of them seem like no brainers. "#1 Bathing Suit" -like, duh? How could one possibly forget that? I'm going to do things a little bit differently and skip over "towel, sunglasses, sun block, etc." (because who seriously wants to read that?) and focus on the products that I've grown to love and will continuously repurchase each and every summer! 

Here's a list of my FAVORITE things to put in my beach bag:

Hawaiian Tropic Aloha Kiss Lip Gloss

This lip gloss comes in both SPF 20 or SPF 15 to help protect your lips from damaging sun rays. It also moisturizes PHENOMENALLY while giving a gorgeous gloss to your lips. I usually am just a Burt's Bee's Chapstick kind of girl because I hate how a lot of lip products look chalky or feel sticky, this is surprisingly neither of the two! It tastes DELICIOUS, too! -I got my boyfriend's mom hooked and on the hunt to find a tube for herself after I let her try some of mine last summer. I even wear this for daily use, not even just for when I'm by the beach or pool. I literally swear by this stuff! 

Australian Gold Dark Tanning Intensifier

This oil smells so good and I really can tell there is more to it than just a "tanning oil." After only one day sun bathing I noticed a more bronzed and beautiful color than I normally get. FYI, This oil DOES NOT contain sunscreen.

Tanning Stickers


I know these may seem cheesy for most people, but I love seeing how tan I've gotten over the summer. I put these stickers on every time I tan and over time it creates a cool "sun tattoo." I only use the heart shaped ones, but there are a lot to choose from. I'd advise anyone and everyone to stay away from the Playboy Bunny shaped stickers, yuck!!!

Hawaiian Tropic After Sun Moisturizer in Lime Coolada

 This moisturizer contains Aloe Vera and Coco Butter to help soothe skin, maintain your tan, and replenish the moisture you lost while in the sun. Even though I love lounging and soaking in the rays, one of my favorite parts about tanning and being in the sun is putting this on when I'm home. It smells like paradise. -Definitely a summer favorite, I don't know what I would do without this!

Grand Trunk Parasheet Beach/ Picnic Blanket

I love putting this down under my beach towel when I'm on sand. Nothing is more obnoxious and uncomfortable then laying in sand. This blanket is big enough for two and comes in a few different color options (I have the pink!). It has sand pockets at each corner that you fill up so that your blanket doesn't blow away while you're in the water! I believe this was discontinued by Grand Trunk :(, but you can still find it on sites, just search for it!

DISCLAIMER: I know the effects of tanning. Although I will probably hate myself by the time I'm 40, I love spending time in the sun too much to give it up just yet. I'm just a girl who LOVES the summer time and wanted to share a few of my favorite products with you! 

Hope you guys look into a few of the things I mentioned! 

xo, cheri